The Manchester City School board held a special called meeting Monday afternoon. Because of the large amount of people in attendance, the meeting was held at city hall.
The school system is making proposals that includes cuts in its budget. The proposal also called for cuts in administrative pay and cuts to school system staff. Another part of the school system proposal is a reduction in the director of schools salary. Dr. Keith Brewer’s pay would drop from his current $120,000 per year to $80,000. This is Dr. Brewer’s idea.
Attorney Clifton Miller was asked by the board to look at terms to present to the Manchester Board of Mayor and Aldermen to avoid a public referendum on merging the city system with county schools along with legal ramifications. Miller recommends to slow things down.
City leaders asked a question about dropping lawsuits the school system has against the city and county. The Manchester City School Board has sued because they say tax money from liquor-by-the drink sales is owed them. The school board recently made a settlement offer but not vote has been taken by either city or county leaders.
Manchester Alderman Tim Kilgore asked why it took so long to get a budget breakdown from the city school board, since it does fall under the open records law. City leaders asked for this information for around 4 months ago. Dr. Brewer said he didn’t want people’s salaries on social media, so individual information was not provided.
A motion was made to delay any action at this time.
Another public meeting is planned for 5:30pm Thursday night at Westwood Middle School. WMSR News has learned that several teachers plan on speaking.